My stomach flutters, as it’s been doing lately every time I hear his name.
“He’s…everything I wanted. He’s not only the most handsome guy I know, but on top of that he’s sweet and funny, and he understands me better than most people because his parents are so similar to you and Dad. And I can’t even tell you how good it feels to walk around school on his arm.”
“I’m so glad, mija. See?” She arches an eyebrow at me. “Mother does know best!”
“In this case, at least.” I laugh.
“Now, there’s something I need you to do for me. And it involves Chace.” She takes my hand, caressing it like she used to do when I was a little girl, her little doll. “It’s come to my attention that Congressman and Mrs. Porter share an unreported bank account—and they’ve been using it to funnel a couple hundred thousand dollars to a private address in Brooklyn. Have you heard Chace mention anything about people they know in Brooklyn?”
I stare at my mom, my stomach churning with nausea as it dawns on me what she’s saying. And here I thought she actually wanted a little mother-daughter bonding.
“No, he hasn’t said a thing. What are you doing, Mom? Why would you be digging into their private business, anyway?”
“I work for the president of the United States,” she counters. As if I actually need reminding. “If I discover something fishy involving someone on our council, it’s my job to look into it and make sure the president is protected.”
I give my mom a sideways glance. I’m pretty sure she just inflated her job description.
“I thought you’re supposed to serve New York constituents. What does that have to do with filling the president in on the Porters’ finances?”
“I don’t like your tone, Lana,” she says warningly.
“And I don’t like what you’re asking of me!” I retort. “I thought you wanted us together.”
“I simply want to make sure the Porters are who they say they are. That’s all.” Mom purses her lips. “Especially with their son dating my only daughter.”
“Again, what you wanted,” I snap. “And I’m actually happy, so please don’t screw this up for me.”
Mom sighs.
“Enough with the dramatics, mija. I’ll leave you and Chace out of it. His parents are coming tonight, anyway. I suppose I can warn them privately that the information has gotten out and see what they say. They might have a reasonable explanation for it all.” She fixes her best politician smile on her face. “I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.”
The three of us weave through the crowd of beautifully dressed guests, looking for a familiar face. It’s already ten p.m. and there’s still no sign of the Porters. I refuse to lose my cool in front of Stephanie and Nicole, but my anxiety bubbles under the surface. I don’t have any messages from him on my phone…is it possible he’s standing me up? Could my mom have managed to get to his parents and wreak her havoc already?
“Don’t worry, Lana,” Nicole murmurs into my ear. “He’ll be here.”
“Of course he will. I’m not worried.”
I flash her a confident smile, and for a second I’m taken aback by how more-than-decent she looks in her blue sleeveless dress paired with the silver Kate Spade cardigan I gave her for Christmas, identical to the one of mine she always complimented me on. Pierre kept his promise not to give her a teen-movie makeover, but with her sandy-blond hair blown out instead of in its usual mass of frizzy curls, she looks…good. Cute, even.
“Oh, there he is!” Stephanie points to the doorway. It takes all my willpower not to run straight into his arms, and instead wait coolly for him to come to me. He is achingly handsome in his suit, breaking into a grin as he meets my eyes across the throng.
“Hey, babe.” He sweeps me into his arms and kisses my cheek. Relief floods through me.
Chace turns to Nicole, and does a double take.
“Nicole. Hey.” He gives her a warm hug, and for a split second I wonder if I should be worried. But duh, that’s ridiculous. He greets Stephanie with a hug, too, and the four of us make our way to the patio.
“This is some crowd,” he remarks once we’re outside and able to hear each other.
“That’s my parents for you. Speaking of, where are yours?”
Chace glances down.
“There was a situation with my grandmother. They’re with her now.”
“Oh, I hope she’s okay.” I take his hand. “It’s so sweet of you to still come.”
He smiles at me.
“I wasn’t going to bail on you.”
“Aww, you guys are soo cuuuute,” Stephanie drawls, and Nicole giggles. I nuzzle closer to Chace.
The music pauses inside, and I see my parents making their way to the staircase, drawing everyone’s attention in all their power-couple couture glory.
“Welcome, everyone, or as we say here at home, bienvenidos!” Dad raises his champagne flute to the crowd, and a chorus of clinking glasses follows. “Dinner is served!”